It is quite a wonderful gift that we have technologies that allow those whose hearing is failing to recover at least some of what has been lost, or at least provide an alternative way to communicate. The person who can’t hear is at a very distinct disadvantage. Everything is affected. And that is especially true when we know that faith comes by hearing. How can they believe if they can’t hear. Of course, this drives our outreach to the deaf community. We want them to hear and so there are things like sign language and computer programs to provide them with the opportunity to hear the Gospel. And certainly God blesses these efforts. But there is another kind of deafness that plagues all people – a deafness to the Word of God, a deafness not born of a physical malady but a spiritual one. The sinful nature doesn’t want to hear God speak because when God speaks, the sinful nature is condemned along with all of its thoughts and evil desires. The irony is that only the Word of God has the power to open such deaf ears so that they can hear and believe. God grant us ears to hear. May He open our ears that we may hear His call to repentance and His promise of forgiveness in Christ. I look forward to seeing you this coming Lord’s Day.
Pastor Ulmer